Gadolinium Alert

If you have kidney problems and recently had a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), please take note: your health may be in danger because of a contrast dye that has been used during those procedures.

If you suffer from kidney disease or renal dysfunction, the Gadolinium-based contrast dye used in some MRIs or MRAs may have exposed you to a risk of a debilitating and possibly deadly condition known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF/NFD).

So far, NSF/NFD has been seen almost exclusively in patients with kidney problems. NSF/NDF is marked by thickened and rough or hard skin. Symptoms include trouble moving and straightening the arms, hands, legs and feet. Patients with NSF/NFD also report burning, itching, swelling, red patches on the skins, yellow spots in the whites of the eyes, deep pain in the hips or ribs, muscle weakness and stiffness in joints.

In certain cases, NSF/NFD may lead to death. The symptoms of the condition may take anywhere from 2 days to 18 months to manifest.

The FDA has approved five gadolinium-based contrast agents for use in the United States during MRIs:

• Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine)
• Ominiscan (gadodiamide)
• OptiMARK (gadoversetamide)
• MultiHance(gadobenate dimeglumine)
• Prohance (gadoteridol)

An MRA is a special type of MRI used to study blood vessels and detect, diagnose and aid in the treatment of heart disorders, stroke and vascular diseases. The use of a gadolinium-containing contrast agent to enhance an MRA has not been approved by the FDA.

The approved contrast agents have been on the market since the early 1990s. However, it wasn't until 2006 that the FDA recognized a direct connection between NSF/NFD and patients with kidney failure who had received gadolinium-containing contrast agents during an MRA test. Initially, 25 cases were reported. By April 2007, the FDA reported 65 more cases of NSF/NFD in patients with renal failure who had received a contrast agent containing Gadolinium while undergoing imaging procedures. A month later, the FDA asked manufacturers to include a new black box warning on the labels of all Gadolinium-based contrast agents.

If you or someone you love has recently had an MRI or MRA where a gadolinium-based contrast agent was used, and you have renal dysfunction, kidney disease, or are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, please see a doctor immediately.

Treatment options can be expensive and currently there is no consistently effective management for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. To explore your legal options, you should contact an experienced Pennsylvania product liability attorney.

The personal injury lawyers of Munley, Munley, & Cartwright, P.C. have been protecting the rights of victims in Pennsylvania for more than 40 years. We understand the laws surrounding product liability, medical malpractice and personal injury laws. Our lawyers successfully handle cases against large manufacturers and insurance companies and we know how to get you the fairest settlement to help pay for your medical bills and damages.

At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through teamwork and the use of our considerable resources and experience. For a free consultation regarding your legal concerns, please submit your case online, or call us at: 1-800-318-LAW1.